Yoga and Hip Hop Music….Say What?!

 ”Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” This quote from Iyengar reminds us that yoga is connection. It’s about creating a union between the mind and the body, despite what kind of yoga it is.

One form of yoga that I teach is Hip Hop Yoga. When I mention this at workshops and trainings I get many confused faces. “What’s Hip Hop Yoga?” they ask. Hip Hop Yoga is not much different from any other vinyasa class. There’s the same emphasis on aligning the breath with movement but the hip hop music serves as the soundtrack for the class. The music starts off slow for the warming up and integration part of the class, picks up during sun salutations and the standing poses, and slows down as the letting go part of class begins.

So why Hip Hop music opposed to pop, rock, classical, metal, etc? The music is deep and has unique tones and melodies that inspire us, make us move and most importantly allows ourselves to feel. The music is not just something in the background it’s part of the practice. It sets the tone, the energy and pace of the class. The music is such a rich part of the experience.

Experience it for yourself….

2 p.m. Wednesdays at Back Bay Yoga
7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Sweat and Soul Yoga